The Show Must Go On!

It's inspiring to watch as the Hoffman Estates High School's cast and crew work hard to safely create a fun musical in the midst of a global pandemic. "The Pirates of Penzance" comes at the perfect time for families feeling cooped up and restless at home.

The whimsical tale follows a young pirate named Frederic, an orphan who has mistakenly been apprenticed to a raucous band of pirates. He breaks free from the Pirate King on his 21st birthday and falls for the beautiful Mabel. But because he was born on Feb. 29, a date that only arrives every fourth year, Frederic isn't technically 21 - and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King's new nemesis - Mabel's father.

"The Pirates of Penzance" comically teaches us that anything, even commitment to doing one's duty, can become silly if carried beyond reasonable limits.

Despite the many obstacles, the dedicated cast and crew were determined to figure out solutions and find joy in an otherwise confusing circumstance.

Choreographer Laura Mallon states, "The whole process was completely new. Normally, the cast was able to join hands and get close; it now becomes about finding creative ways to tell this story without having the students physically interact."

These new creative solutions are seen everywhere throughout the musical as the cast prepares to record themselves to be put on flash drives for the audience to purchase, as opposed to a live performance.

Jason Stevens describes this change from a directorial standpoint, "It's been fun to watch the auditorium become more of a film set. I'm navigating ways to keep the production as theatrical and real as possible, instead of [for example], adding the sound after recording."

Stevens also expresses hope to allow the audience to view the production as a movie, in which the community can rent out the auditorium to watch with friends and family. While final details are still being discussed, it is confirmed that Hoffman Estates High School will host a "viewing party" where the audience can watch the full show online with others.

Madelyn Crivlare, playing the beloved Mabel, is excited to stream the production with her family, stating, "Although I'll miss having a live audience, I think it will be really fun to be able to sit next to my family and watch their reactions as the story unfolds."

As production progresses, leave a voicemail at (847) 755-5805 to inquire more or purchase tickets for the Hoffman Estates High School Theatre Department's first viewing party. The link for the stream is given below... it would be ARR pleasure to have you.

For tickets and information, visit hehs.ticketleap.com/hehs-pirates-of-penzance